Jazz Band Program

New Students to Jazz Band

Virtually all new students to the Jazz program will be enrolled in 2nd period Jazz, which is the FM Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Workshop. Concurrent enrollment in a Concert Band or Small Ensemble (if eligible) is a prerequisite for jazz band participation.

Returning Students to Jazz Bands

All students returning to the jazz program will audition in the spring to determine their preliminary placement for the fall, and students will be placed in either zero or 2nd period jazz. Some shifting, however, will likely occur in the fall because of specific band needs and changing student abilities. The audition may include any or all of the following: an assigned excerpt, a “call and response” exercise, sight reading, improvisation over a blues key, rhythm changes, or a standard tune like "All of Me" or "Satin Doll." Drummers are required to play swing, bebop, bossa, and samba. Those students placed in zero period jazz will be required to audition during the first week of school and then be placed into either the AM or PM Jazz Ensemble. Re-auditions may occur, especially at the semester and at the discretion of the directors.

Jazz Band Prerequisite

Students must be concurrently enrolled in a Concert Band or Small Ensemble (if eligible) to participate in a Jazz Band. There are many reasons for this rule:

In order to have small jazz band classes, we must offset the numbers with large concert band classes.

Essential theory and ear training are only taught in concert bands.

Concert bands are the heart of Rio Band. Everyone’s presence is essential.

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